Process of preparing a casein solution



5 or basic materials be added.

Patented May 14, 1940 i=2 2,200,353 7 i raoc-Ess OFPREPARING A CASEINSOLUTIQN. John P. Alig," Indianapolis, Ind., assignor to Sargent-GerkeCompany, Indianapolis, Ind., a m

corporation of Indiana No Drawing. Application March 18, 1939, SerialNo. 262175 5 Claims. (oi. 134-12) This invention relates to the formingor procasein. If the ratio of boric acid, casein, and ducing of a stablecasein solution and/or diswater are held constant, the finalviscosityand persion and the product itself, and consists espH of the finishedproduct can be-varied to some sentially of peptizing and/or dissolvingany acid extent by changing the alkali-metal fluoride w precipitatedcasein by means of a mixture alkaliused. Y metal fluoride and boric acidin the presence of When the materials are mixed the casein regulatedquantities of water and heat. seems to melt into solution without goingthrough A primary object of the invention is to proat lumpy stage.Depending on the materials used vide acasein solution or dispersion (theproduct and the ratios in which they are present, 'the probably beingboth a dispersion and solution) finished solution has a high or lowviscosity and if, having a smooth appearance, good flowing p-rop-. itsreaction may be either basic or acidic. The erties, and stability inrespect to its initial visfinished product may be diluted or renderedalkacosity over relatively long periods of time and line Without itslosingits useful properties. remaining stable even though somewhatacidic I have found that the pH of the finished solution may becontrolled by. the choice of the alkali A further primary object of theinvention is to fluoride used as Well as by the amount in which providesuch a casein product (hereinafter it is present. Sodium fluoride and/orammonium termed a solution, dispersion being included) fluoride withboric acid give the most satisfacwhich maybe used in many of theindustrial tory results and, for reasons of economy, 1' preprocesses forthe making of water-paste paints; for to use them. However, I do notintend to water-oil emulsions; glues; sizes; insecticides; limit myinvention to the use of these compounds printing inks; etc. v i becauseby using any soluble alkali-metal fluo- A further primary object of theinvention is ride with boric acid, I can produce a stable casein to forma casein gel having a high percentage solution and/or dispersion,Fluorides in the of casein which may be melted simply by heat presenceof an amphoteric material such as boric 25 ing, which may be used as a.gel or may be modiacid seem to hydrolyze in such a manner that fied tosuit individual-conditions by adding water a weakly alkaline solution isformed. This soluor pH modifying agents. The product'formed tion at oncepeptizes ordissolves the casein, has excellent keeping qualities andlends itself rapidly and uniformly. Any lumps of dry casein 1 to easyhandling, particularly in small plants that powder disintegrate at oncewith very slight agido' not have cooking or agitating equipment tation.

otherwise required to handle caseins produced by The amount of 'Waterused may vary widely processes heretofore developed. Goodflowingdepending on the final viscosity desired. I have quahties are tobe had in addition to forming a found that the best results are obtainedby using casein solution having a heavy body. by weight, 400 to 800parts of water with 100 do A still further important object of theinvenparts of casein, these proportions being easy to tion is to form acasein solution having a pH less cook and handle. The use of boric acidin the than 7 and being relatively stable in respect to mixture rendersit possible to dissolve or dishydrolysis and putrefaction, materialsbeing perse the casein at much lower temperatures 40 employed in theprocess of forming the solution and with greater rapidity than possiblewith any 40 which are in themselves-bactericidal in nature. other a pmaterial i Case n s0=1u A still further important object of theinventions of 12% or less, solution will readily take tion is theproduction of a casein solution which pl ce a r m mp r r I pr f r tocook may be either slightly neutral acid or alkaline the reactionmixture at about 160-190 degrees in nature without directly employingalkalies in F. since, at these temperatures, much higher con- 45 theprocess, thus simplifying operations, and also centrations of casein canbe handled easily and permitting low cost of production, as well asrethe solution takes place with greater speed and ducing danger ofinjury to operators. the final viscosity is attained in a short intervalAs above indicated, the final viscosity of the of time as compared tolower temperatures. It casein solution and/or dispersion can be conis tobe understood that the temperature of the 50 trolled by varying theamount of water present. cooking can be varied within wide limits, with-If the ratio of water and casein are held constant out badly affectingthe final product and that the final viscosity and pH of the finishedmathe range of temperatures may safely be from terial can be varied bychanging the amounts of' 60 t0 de e s or With Special q t, 5 fluorideand boric acid used to dissolve the even temperatures may be used.

The following table depicts the eifect of boric acid on a reactionmixture of casein, sodium fluoride and water:

Casein 100 parts 100 parts.

Sodium fluoride 8.4 parts- 8.4 parts.

Water 400 parts- 400 parts.

Appearance. Undispersed- Smooth, gluey consistency.

acid. The other mixture without the boric acid will remain unafiected ifit is a sulphuric, muriatic or high-viscosity lactic, or, withlowviscosity, lactic casein, it will become stringy and somewhat glueyon prolonged heating but no uniformity of solution will be attained.

The term alkali-metal fluoride as herein employed is intended to includeall of the monovalent alkali-metal fluorides and ammonium fluoride. Theterm casein includes all of the acid-precipitated caseins, includingmuriatic casein, lactic casein and sulphuric casein.

As one illustration of the process for making a casein solution and/ordispersion embodying my invention, the following description of atypical laboratory size batch and direction for making same are given:

To 100 grammes casein, add 600 grammes water, 3 grammes boric acid, and8.4 grammes sodium fluoride. Stir until uniformly moistened and heatthe-mixture in a water bath to 185 degrees F. Hold at this temperaturefor 10 minutes. The resulting solution and/or dispersion will be, whencooled, a thick, viscous,

\ freely flowing, glue-like material distinctly acid to litmus and quitestable as regards viscosity and freedom from putrefaction overrelatively long periods of time.

While the solution is warm, any pH modifying agent may be added, orwater for thinning purposes. However, these additions are totallyunnecessary as regards dissolving and/or dispersing the casein, andtheir purpose is merely for modifying the finished product so that itcan be made to conform to any standards of pH, viscosity, and dilutionwhich may have been previously determined. Variations in theseproperties may be caused by variations in the raw materials used, thatis, in the boric acid casein, fluoride and water.

This invention is not intended to be restricted to the precisematerials, temperatures, proportions, and steps set forth except as maybe required by the following claims.

I claim:

1. The process of producing a casein solution relatively stable as tohydrolysis, which consists of reacting with a casein in the presence ofwater, a casein solvent mixture which consists of a water solublealkali-metal fluoride and boric acid.

2. The process of producing a casein solution having a pH less than 7and which is relatively stable as to hydrolysis, which consists ofheating to not to exceed 210 degrees F. and reacting with an acidprecipitated casein, a solvent mixture of sodium fluoride and boric acidin the presence of water.

3. The process of producing a casein solution relatively stable as tohydrolysis, which consists of reacting with a casein in the presence ofwater, acasein solvent mixture which consists of a water solublealkali-metal fluoride and boric acid, and heating within the range of 60to 210 degrees F.

4. The process of producing a casein solution relatively stable as tohydrolysis, which consists of reacting with casein in the presence ofwater, a casein solvent mixture consisting of approximately 8 parts byweight of a water soluble alkali-metal fluoride and approximately 3parts of boric acid, to each 100 parts of the casein.

5. The process of producing a casein solution relatively stable as tohydrolysis, which consists of reacting with casein in the presence ofwater, a casein solvent mixture consisting of approximately 8 parts byweight of a water soluble alkali-metal fluoride and approximately 3parts of boric acid, to each 100 parts of the casein, said water beingin the proportion of 400 parts.

JOHN P. ALIG.

